Question of the Week: 59 - 9/11/2001911 America: Talking Through The Terror...Talking Through The Terror... And helping each other cope with the tragedies that struck at the very heart of the United States. The Witches Voice has opened up this forum in order that Pagans may express their thoughts on the terrorist attacks that took place in NYC and DC on September 11th. As the full realization of what happened and the toll numbers begin to come in, Americans have many challenges ahead.

What are your thoughts on these incidents? How are you feeling? Feel free to post any magickal workings or other support gatherings planned in your area.

WebNote 9/16/2001: Since we launched this on 911 this forum as become laced with powerful inspiration and critical information, feel free to use the search functions on your left to better define the info you are looking for. Search for your area, famous Pagans, key words etc. Also check Wren's Nest News for the latest news related to our community.

Yesterday morning seemed like any other. I woke up, got dressed for college, drank some juice, and watched the news. It seemed like any ordinary day. It was my boyfriend's nineteenth birthday, and that is all I really thought about.

After my first class, I had a girl come up to me to inform me of what had happened. At first, I didn't believe her. "You're just exaggerating it, " I said. Later, I knew the truth, for I watched in horror at the animosity let out on our country. I felt the tears spring from my eyes as I saw pictures of people jumping to their deaths from the World Trade Center building. I cried when I heard that over 200 fire fighters were killed in action. I was devestated, however, when I knew that over 10, 000 had lost their lives.

As a Wiccan, I am trying to deal with this in the best way I know how, by praying for the families, and for justice. Deep inside, I harbor a quiet anger, and all I want to do is find the lunatic that did this and make them suffer. However, I also know that violence does not beget violence.

No matter what religion someone is, they know that human life is a precious and sacred thing. Atheist, Buddhist, Wiccan, Christian, and so on...we all partake in religious activities to help us deal with our lives and to find guidance. We must all unite together and put aside petty differences, because no matter what we believe or who we are, we are still human beings.

I offer whatever healing energies I may send out, and I urge everyone else in the Pagan community to join forces with our prayers and healing powers. Love conquers all. I sincerely offer my humblest apologies to the families and friends out there who know not where their loved ones are, or if their loved ones have been injured and/or killed. We will fight this thing. We must unite. We have not yet begun to fight.

There is so much to say that can never be said. My senses are overwhelmed with the missery of the past days events. I know far too many people who have lost loved ones and their sorrow contines inside of me. It is not a time for anger, but a time for mourning and togetherness. A time to be thankfull that not more were killed and to enbrace our loved ones and let them know how much they mean to us. I can not begin to imagine life in those places that were attacked for the pain of those of us so far away is so great its hard to imagine a pain even greater. Today I send out many things. I ask the God and Goddess to keep watch over those still trapped and those in the ER's, I pray that they feel love, and that those who must pass on are able to pass peacefully. I ask the God and Goddess to help us all look forward and not regret what we couldn't do to change things and what we couldn't do to help, but help us to learn from one of the darkest gifts this country has ever seen. I ask also for karmatic law to be passed on those who are responsible for this hainious act of violence. I send out my love, health, and harmany to those all over the world who have felt the unrelenting pain of these events. I offer the world a shoulder to cry on and a loving embrace. We will never forget this disaster or those who have died. We should take this day to hold close those we still have with us.

The Rochester NY chapter of the Red Cross[1] is asking for donations to it's relief fund as well as blood donations[2].

You can donate directly to them online[3], you can also you can make financial contributions though paypal's donation fund[4] or amazon.com's Red Cross relief fund[5]. Both paypal and amazon.com have stated that all proceeds from their relief funds will be donated directly to the Red Cross relief fund.

Also, CNN Live[6] has reported that help from those who are in or near the NYC Manhattan and Washington DC area is needed with rescue and cleanup operations. If you want to help, please contact the Red Cross, don't arrive unannouced. The disaster scene is unsafe, and you could accidently interfere with rescue efforts if you show up without first contacting the authorities to find out if you're needed.

Even if you've donated blood, please consider contributing to the Red Cross relief fund. The donations are tax deductible, but more importantly, they will insure that the current rescue and relief operations will have funding for needed supplies.

The Red Cross[7] cannot accept individual donations of supplies, but if you'd like to help, you can visit their website, or you can contact them directly[8].

Since I was home from work yesterday, I was watching the news when the second plane hit the building, I was stunned at the sight. then hearing the Pentagon was also bombed, I was totally horrified. I am a government worker and we are made fully aware on a daily basis how risky it is to work for the government. I work in a building in downtown Seattle and must go through security to enter it. It is not something most of us really think about, it is just part of our daily lives.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We all go to work on a daily basis without a thought to what could happen during the day. Comuters are rude to each other, we hurry along the street without a thought for another person and we often in our routines of life forget to stop and appreciate what the Goddess has granted us. It is a wonder to see how such a large nation can become such a tight community in times of crisis.

My the God and the Goddess bless all of our nation and the world as things are decided. May our leaders have enough sense and direction to handle the situation in the right way.

It all seems so incredibly surreal. I feel as though this is some sort of really bad joke that someone has played on our country, or a bad dream that at any moment the world will wake up from. I can only wish that it were so. I know that in my heart this is real, and there is nothing that we can do to change what has happen. All we can do is to band together and help those who need it. Obviously everyone knows this.

I also wish to say that I am still of the belief that our president is about as smart as a rock, and thats giving him credit. His idea of how to deal with this is his way of trying to finish what his father had started.

My prayers are with everyone in the United States, mostly with those in New York and DC. Also with the military, in hopes that this will not end up in a war. We have lost too many people as it is without having to throw more lives away.

Firstly, I'd Like To Say That My Heart Goes Out To The...

Sep 12th. at 8:34:53 am UTC

Rhiannon Blackwolf (Adelaide, South Australia AU)

Age: 13

Firstly, I'd like to say that my heart goes out to the victims and relatives and friends of people caught in this terrible tragedy. The TV footage was enough to scare me to school on a day when I was rather ill. It only added to my sickness causing me to throw up three times... O_o. I truly hope that we will be able to reach most of the people trapped in the buildings. I ask that my Lord and Lady reach out to those caught under debris and ease their suffering. Gods bless America, Gods bless Australia, and Gods bless democracy!

I Just Wanted To Send My Prayers And Love To Everyone In...

Sep 12th. at 8:26:59 am UTC

Magpie (Hampshire, England UK)

Age: 33

I just wanted to send my prayers and love to everyone in the US and the rest of the world who has been effected by this terrible, horrific tragedy. I offer my love and respect to all those who have been trying to help in anyway they can, giving their blood and many giving their lives to save those trapped in the buildings. I offer my love to those who have perished at the hands of these people who sadly are consumed by hatred. I ask that the God and Goddess help all the souls who have passed to the Summerland so suddenly. I pray that the leaders of our world will find the wisdom and courage to deal with the situation in a way which will help prevent such a tragedy ever happening again. I pray that this event does not fuel world hatred even more although sadly that is unlikely to be the outcome. I pray that everyone in our world who is filled with hatred be filled with the joy of love for their neighbour. May the organisers of this terrible event be held accountable for their actions but I pray that no one else is harmed in the process, regardless of their religious beliefs or the country of their birth. I pray that those effected by this tragedy will have the courage and wisdom not to blame or retaliate against those people who's skin may resemble those who are to blame. I pray for all those people still trapped in the buildings and hope that they are able to be rescued and returned to their families.

first off, let me start by stating that i AM an american and i am proud to have lived in a country where i can be free (kinda). I am a History Major at PBCC and let me just tell you, i'm annoyed.America is long overdue for a major war, don't so, oh well, vietnam. That was not a war, that was a military action, we haven't had a major war since Korea. America is also long overdue for a Depression, which we are about to enter, have fun.Personally, i do not think that Bush's idea to take action against the country that was harboring these people is a smart idea. One, we don't know which country it is, and to go and bomb all the middle eastern countries, well, just watch out for who russia sold their nukes to.I think america as a unit, as one nation, has every right to be outraged, but shouldn't we help those that are hurt, get those out we can, start rebuilding the damage BEFORE we go and attack someone? And yes, they might strike again, but maybe by then we'll know which f*ckers did this...and do we really think, after this first time, that we'll actually LET it happen again? ok, i've said my peace...and i'm not going to care anymore, i'm not going to treat this like a natural disaster and stock up on canned goods and hide in my bomb shelter, it's just stupid

Everyone Around The World Has Been Horrified By The Events Of Yesterday...

Sep 12th. at 8:07:22 am UTC

Gray Jay (Labrador City, Newfoundland CA)

Age: 26

Everyone around the world has been horrified by the events of yesterday, I was in a state of shock the whole day. This is an event that could have happened anywhere and my heart goes out to the victims and families. We have taken in a lot of flights that were headed to the states and, here in Newfoundland, we are trying to deal with everyone as best we can. I am going to be giving blood when a clinic can be set up here and implore everyone to do all they can. May the Gods bless everyone.

I was so stunned by the events yesterday that I didn't know what it was I wanted to ask the Gods of until it came to me in the middle of the night. I would like to share with you this prayer I wrote after I finaly came to my senses.

Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and of Defensive War, I call upon you to bless those in this country with decision making powers with the wisdom to make the right choices regarding the terrorist acts against our country. I ask that in the event the use of force becomes necessary against other citizens of the Earth, that the innocent be spared and the guild be quickly dealt with. I call upon you Athena to bless our Armed Forces all over the world who are working to protect Americans everywhere. I also call upon Kuan Yin, Buddhist Goddess of Compassion and Mercy to help those suffering today, especially those who have been injured by the shocking events in New York and at the Pentagon. Bless the families who have lost loved ones as well as the many Emergency Forces continuing to rescue and tread the victims of this cowardly act.

Great Goddess, in All Your Forms, I do not wish harm upon anyone, but that the karmic debt incurred by the acts of these terrorists be swiftly carried out to the fullest extent.

So Mote It Be.

Watching From Afar Here In California I Feel As Though I Am...

Sep 12th. at 12:03:38 am UTC

Leandra (Desert Hot Springs, California US)

Age: 46

Watching from afar here in California I feel as though I am watching a very high tech action movie; only this is real. There have been many emotions running through my mind today but mostly I pray for healing for New York and our country.

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